Adelman sees Roy's setback as routine part of the healing

Renee Jones Schneider, Star TribuneBrandon Roy laughed with coach Rick Adelman during a Wolves practice at MSU Mankato. Roy’s addition to the roster is typical of the players Adelman longed for last season — versatile veterans with high basketball IQs.

CHICAGO - Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman knew there would be nights like after the team brought Brandon Roy out of a one-year retirement.

Roy did not play in the second half of Friday's victory over Indiana because of a sore right knee, and the shooting guard sat out Saturday's game in Chicago for the same reason.

Adelman said he isn't worried this will be long-term. On the other hand, when dealing with anyone with a history of knee problems -- which forced Roy's retirement -- Adelman said he expected there would be nights when Roy would not be available.

"Anybody who has had knee problems, you're going to have things where you step back a little bit," Adelman said. "So I'm not going to be overly concerned right now. I think we just have to take it day by day and go from there."

That means there is no guarantee Roy will be ready to play Monday in Dallas. And that means the Wolves will likely be even more shorthanded against the Mavericks, considering the left knee injury suffered by Chase Budinger on Saturday. By the time the game was over, the Wolves were down to just Alexey Shved at shooting guard.

Roy has struggled to return to the form he had earlier in his career with Portland. He has averaged 5.8 points per game and is shooting 31.4 percent from the floor. Again, Adelman said, it's a process.

"He's used to having guys come to him, taking them off the dribble and finishing plays," Adelman said. "He's just coming back after a year; he's just not sure of himself right now. I think he's going to figure it out, because he's smart."

Finding confidence

Roy's absence also put more pressure on the Wolves bench, particularly Shved Adelman said the Russian rookie has started playing with more confidence after appearing a little star-struck his first few games.

"I think he's more confident," Adelman said of Shved. "I think he knows what we want him to do. ... It's always tough with young guys. In the NBA, you play against guys who come at you. And that will happen with him. I think he has the skill level where he can respond to that.''

After going scoreless in his first game this season, Shved has averaged 8.6 points and 4.8 assists in his past five games. "It's so different here from Europe, it takes time," he said. "No, I feel pretty good. Now I'm starting to know what I can do."

Etc.

 Adelman is not surprised at reports that have Phil Jackson close to returning to coaching the Lakers, saying: "He's certainly familiar with their key players. He's a great coach, and they've got a very good team."

 Kevin Love has not yet made an appointment for a checkup with the New York doctor who is treating his broken hand. That could come as early as this week.